Abstract: Manufacturing components of fiber-reinforced
thermoplastics requires three steps: heating the matrix, forming and
consolidation of the composite and terminal cooling the matrix. For
the heating process a pre-determined temperature distribution through
the layers and the thickness of the pre-consolidated sheets is
recommended to enable forming mechanism. Thus, a design for the
heating process for forming composites with thermoplastic matrices
is necessary. To obtain a constant temperature through thickness and
width of the sheet, the heating process was analyzed by the help of
the finite element method. The simulation models were validated by
experiments with resistance thermometers as well as with an infrared
camera. Based on the finite element simulation, heating methods for
infrared radiators have been developed. Using the numeric
simulation many iteration loops are required to determine the process
parameters. Hence, the initiation of a model for calculating relevant
process parameters started applying regression functions.
Abstract: The high world interest given to the researches concerning the study of moderately halophilic solvent-tolerant bacteria isolated from marine polluted environments is due to their high biotechnological potential, and also to the perspective of their application in different remediation technologies. Using enrichment procedures, I isolated two moderately halophilic Gram-negative bacterial strains from seawater sample, which are tolerant to organic solvents. Cell tolerance, adhesion and cells viability of Aeromonas salmonicida IBBCt2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa IBBCt3 in the presence of organic solvents depends not only on its physicochemical properties and its concentration, but also on the specific response of the cells, and the cellular response is not the same for these bacterial strains. n-hexane, n-heptane, propylbenzene, with log POW between 3.69 and 4.39, were less toxic for Aeromonas salmonicida IBBCt2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa IBBCt3, compared with toluene, styrene, xylene isomers and ethylbenzene, with log POW between 2.64 and 3.17. The results indicated that Aeromonas salmonicida IBBCt2 is more susceptible to organic solvents than Pseudomonas aeruginosa IBBCt3. The mechanisms underlying solvent tolerance (e.g., the existance of the efflux pumps) in Aeromonas salmonicida IBBCt2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa IBBCt3 it was also studied.
Abstract: The American Health Level Seven (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) consists of six back-bone classes that have different specialized attributes. Furthermore, for the purpose of enforcing the semantic expression, there are some specific mandatory vocabulary domains have been defined for representing the content values of some attributes. In the light of the fact that it is a duplicated effort on spending a lot of time and human cost to develop and modify Clinical Information Systems (CIS) for most hospitals due to the variety of workflows. This study attempts to design and develop sharing RIM-based components of the CIS for the different business processes. Therefore, the CIS contains data of a consistent format and type. The programmers can do transactions with the RIM-based clinical repository by the sharing RIM-based components. And when developing functions of the CIS, the sharing components also can be adopted in the system. These components not only satisfy physicians- needs in using a CIS but also reduce the time of developing new components of a system. All in all, this study provides a new viewpoint that integrating the data and functions with the business processes, it is an easy and flexible approach to build a new CIS.
Abstract: This research studied about green logistics and the
expected benefit that organization gotten when adapted to green
logistics also the organization concerned about the important activity
in green logistics to apply in implementation from study was found
that the benefit of green logistics that organization was gotten by
logistics management which was the increased efficiency process of
management the product from producer to customer all of reduce
production cost, increased value added save energy and prevented
environment together
From study was found that the organization had green logistics to
apply in logistics activities in supply chain since downstream till
upstream to prevent environment as follow 1). Purchasing process,
trade facilitation enhance such as linking of information technology
during business to business (B2B business). 2). Productions process
improved by business logistics improvement 3). Warehouse
management process such as recycled packaging, moving goods in to
warehouse, transportation goods and inside receiving and delivery
products plan.
Abstract: Municipal solid waste (MSW) comprises of a wide
range of heterogeneous materials generated by individual, household
or organization and may include food waste, garden wastes, papers,
textiles, rubbers, plastics, glass, ceramics, metals, wood wastes,
construction wastes but it is not limited to the above mentioned
fractions. The most common Municipal Solid Waste pretreatment
method in use is thermal pretreatment (incineration) and Mechanical
Biological pretreatment. This paper presents an overview of these
two pretreatment methods describing their benefits and laboratory
scale reactors that simulate landfill conditions were constructed in
order to compare emissions in terms of biogas production and
leachate contamination between untreated Municipal Solid Waste and
Mechanical Biological Pretreated waste. The findings of this study
showed that Mechanical Biological pretreatment of waste reduces the
emission level of waste and the benefit over the landfilling of
untreated waste is significant.
Abstract: This paper presents a new method which applies an
artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC) for capacitor placement in
distribution systems with an objective of improving the voltage profile
and reduction of power loss. The ABC algorithm is a new population
based meta heuristic approach inspired by intelligent foraging behavior
of honeybee swarm. The advantage of ABC algorithm is that
it does not require external parameters such as cross over rate and
mutation rate as in case of genetic algorithm and differential evolution
and it is hard to determine these parameters in prior. The other
advantage is that the global search ability in the algorithm is implemented
by introducing neighborhood source production mechanism
which is a similar to mutation process. To demonstrate the validity
of the proposed algorithm, computer simulations are carried out on
69-bus system and compared the results with the other approach
available in the literature. The proposed method has outperformed the
other methods in terms of the quality of solution and computational
efficiency.
Abstract: In this paper, we proposed a novel receiver algorithm
for coherent underwater acoustic communications. The proposed
receiver is composed of three parts: (1) Doppler tracking and
correction, (2) Time reversal channel estimation and combining, and
(3) Joint iterative equalization and decoding (JIED). To reduce
computational complexity and optimize the equalization algorithm,
Time reversal (TR) channel estimation and combining is adopted to
simplify multi-channel adaptive decision feedback equalizer (ADFE)
into single channel ADFE without reducing the system performance.
Simultaneously, the turbo theory is adopted to form joint iterative
ADFE and convolutional decoder (JIED). In JIED scheme, the ADFE
and decoder exchange soft information in an iterative manner, which
can enhance the equalizer performance using decoding gain. The
simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce
computational complexity and improve the performance of equalizer.
Therefore, the performance of coherent underwater acoustic
communications can be improved greatly.
Abstract: The lack of any centralized infrastructure in mobile ad
hoc networks (MANET) is one of the greatest security concerns in
the deployment of wireless networks. Thus communication in
MANET functions properly only if the participating nodes cooperate
in routing without any malicious intention. However, some of the
nodes may be malicious in their behavior, by indulging in flooding
attacks on their neighbors. Some others may act malicious by
launching active security attacks like denial of service. This paper
addresses few related works done on trust evaluation and
establishment in ad hoc networks. Related works on flooding attack
prevention are reviewed. A new trust approach based on the extent of
friendship between the nodes is proposed which makes the nodes to
co-operate and prevent flooding attacks in an ad hoc environment.
The performance of the trust algorithm is tested in an ad hoc network
implementing the Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV)
protocol.
Abstract: In this paper we discuss on the security module for the
car appliances to prevent stealing and illegal use on other cars. We
proposed an open structure including authentication and encryption by
embed a security module in each to protect car appliances. Illegal
moving and use a car appliance with the security module without
permission will lead the appliance to useless. This paper also presents
the component identification and deal with relevant procedures. It is at
low cost to recover from destroys by the burglar. Expect this paper to
offer the new business opportunity to the automotive and technology
industry.
Abstract: Economic Load Dispatch (ELD) is a method of determining
the most efficient, low-cost and reliable operation of a power
system by dispatching available electricity generation resources to
supply load on the system. The primary objective of economic
dispatch is to minimize total cost of generation while honoring
operational constraints of available generation resources. In this paper
an intelligent water drop (IWD) algorithm has been proposed to
solve ELD problem with an objective of minimizing the total cost of
generation. Intelligent water drop algorithm is a swarm-based natureinspired
optimization algorithm, which has been inspired from natural
rivers. A natural river often finds good paths among lots of possible
paths in its ways from source to destination and finally find almost
optimal path to their destination. These ideas are embedded into
the proposed algorithm for solving economic load dispatch problem.
The main advantage of the proposed technique is easy is implement
and capable of finding feasible near global optimal solution with
less computational effort. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of
the proposed method, it has been tested on 6-unit and 20-unit test
systems with incremental fuel cost functions taking into account the
valve point-point loading effects. Numerical results shows that the
proposed method has good convergence property and better in quality
of solution than other algorithms reported in recent literature.
Abstract: The acoustic and articulatory properties of fricative speech sounds are being studied using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and acoustic recordings from a single subject. Area functions were derived from a complete set of axial and coronal MR slices using two different methods: the Mermelstein technique and the Blum transform. Area functions derived from the two techniques were shown to differ significantly in some cases. Such differences will lead to different acoustic predictions and it is important to know which is the more accurate. The vocal tract acoustic transfer function (VTTF) was derived from these area functions for each fricative and compared with measured speech signals for the same fricative and same subject. The VTTFs for /f/ in two vowel contexts and the corresponding acoustic spectra are derived here; the Blum transform appears to show a better match between prediction and measurement than the Mermelstein technique.
Abstract: This study describes the relationship between motivation factors and academic performance among distance education students enrolled in a postgraduate nursing course. Students (n=96) participated in a survey that assesses student's motivational orientations from a cognitive perspective using a selfadministered questionnaire based on Pintrich-s Motivation Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MLSQ). Results showed students- motivational factors are highest on task value (6.44, 0.71); followed by intrinsic goal orientation (6.20, 0.76), control beliefs (6.02, 0.89); extrinsic goal orientation (5.85, 1.13); self-efficacy for learning and performance (5.62, 0.84), and finally, test anxiety (4.21, 1.37). Weak positive correlations were found between academic performance and intrinsic goal orientation (r=0.13), extrinsic goal orientation (r=0.04), task value (r=0.09), control beliefs (r=0.02), and self-efficacy (r=0.05), while there was weak negative correlation with test anxiety (r=-0.04). Conclusions from the study indicate the need to focus on improving tasks and targeting intrinsic goal orientations of students to courses since these were positively correlated with academic performance and downplay the use of tests since these were negatively correlated with academic performance.
Abstract: The construction industry is the pillar industry in
China, accounting for about 6% of the gross domestic product. Along
with changes in the external environment of the construction industry
in China, the construction firm faces fierce competition. The paper
aims to investigate the relationship between diversified types of
construction firm and its performance in China. Based on generalist
and specialist strategy in organizational ecology, we think a generalist
organization can be applied to an enterprise with diversified
developments, while specialist groups are extended to professional
enterprises .This study takes advantage of annual financial data of
listed construction firm to empirically verify the relationship between
diversification and corporation performance establishing a regression
equation to econometric analysis. We find that: 1) Specialization can
significantly improve the level of profitability of listed construction
firms, and there is a significant positive relationship with corporate
performance; 2) The level of operating performance of listed
construction enterprises which engage in unrelated diversification is
higher than those with related diversification; 3) The relationship
between state-owned construction firms and corporate performance is
negative. The more the year of foundation is, the higher performance
will be; however, the more the year of being listed, the lower
performance will be.
Abstract: This study proposes and tests a rescapturing elements of perceived gain and loss that, by perceived value of medical tourism products, influencintention of potential customers. Data from 301 usable qwere tested against the research model using the structmodeling approach. The results indicated that perceivedkey predictor of customer intentions. As for benefimedical quality, service quality and enjoyment wcomponents that significantly influenced the perceptiRegarding sacrifice, the effects of perceived risk on pewere significant. The findings can provide insights intohow destination countries can make medical tourism a wfor themselves and international patients.KeywordsMedical tourism, perceived valueintention.
Abstract: The effect of dry milling on the carbothermic
reduction of celestite was investigated. Mixtures of celestite
concentrate (98% SrSO4) and activated carbon (99% carbon) was
milled for 1 and 24 hours in a planetary ball mill. Un-milled and
milled mixtures and their products after carbothermic reduction were
studied by a combination of XRD and TGA/DTA experiments. The
thermogravimetric analyses and XRD results showed that by milling
celestite-carbon mixtures for one hour, the formation temperature of
strontium sulfide decreased from about 720°C (in un-milled sample)
to about 600°C, after 24 hours milling it decreased to 530°C. It was
concluded that milling induces increasingly thorough mixing of the
reactants to reduction occurring at lower temperatures
Abstract: Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) emerged in the pursuit to improve our standard of living, and hence can manifest complex human behaviors such as communication, decision making, negotiation and self-organization. The Social Network Services (SNSs) have attracted millions of users, many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily practices. The domains of MAS and SNS have lots of similarities such as architecture, features and functions. Exploring social network users- behavior through multiagent model is therefore our research focus, in order to generate more accurate and meaningful information to SNS users. An application of MAS is the e-Auction and e-Rental services of the Universiti Cyber AgenT(UniCAT), a Social Network for students in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Kampar, Malaysia, built around the Belief- Desire-Intention (BDI) model. However, in spite of the various advantages of the BDI model, it has also been discovered to have some shortcomings. This paper therefore proposes a multi-agent framework utilizing a modified BDI model- Belief-Desire-Intention in Dynamic and Uncertain Situations (BDIDUS), using UniCAT system as a case study.
Abstract: This study aimed to explore future life orientation and
support that needed to accomplish it. A total of 258 participants are
Javanese high school student. The age of the sample ranges from 14
to 18 years old. Participants were asked about their future aspiration,
their reason of choosing them as important goals in their life, and
support that they need to accomplished their goals using open ended
questionnaire. The responses were categorized through content
analysis into four main categories. They are: (1) Self Fulfillment
(72.1%) (2) Parents and Family (16.7%) (3) Altruism (8.1%) (4)
Social and Economy Status (3.1%). Meanwhile, the categories for
support that they needed are shown as follows: (1) Affection Support
(64.7%) (2) Spiritual support (17.4%) (3) Material Support (10.9%)
(4) Guidance Support (7.0%). The research found that affection
support always gets the highest number in every future orientation
categories. It can be concluded that although Javanese adolescents
have different future orientation, they basically need affection
support.
Abstract: The grey oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju
(PSC), is a common edible mushroom and is now grown
commercially around the world for food. This fungus has been
broadly used as food or food ingredients in various food products for
a long time. To enhance the nutritional quality and sensory attributes
of bakery-based products, PSC powder is used in the present study to
partially replace wheat flour in baked product formulations. The
nutrient content and sensory properties of rice-porridge and
unleavened bread (paratha) incorporated with various levels of PSC
powder were studied. These food items were formulated with either
0%, 2%, 4% or 6% of PSC powder. Results show PSC powder
recorded β-glucan at 3.57g/100g. In sensory evaluation, consumers
gave higher score to both rice-porridge and paratha bread containing
2-4% PSC compared to those that are not added with PSC powder.
The paratha containing 4% PSC powder can be formulated with the
intention in improving overall acceptability of paratha bread.
Meanwhile, for rice-porridge, consumers prefer the formulated
product added with 4% PSC powder. In conclusion, the addition of
PSC powder to partially wheat flour can be recommended for the
purpose of enhancing nutritional composition and maintaining the
acceptability of carbohydrate-based products.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to study the effects of
plants cover on overland flow and, therefore, its influences on the
amount of eroded and transported soil. In this investigation, all the
experiments were conducted in the LEGHYD laboratory using a
rainfall simulator and a soil tray. The experiments were conducted
using an experimental plot (soil tray) which is 2m long, 0.5 m wide
and 0.15 m deep. The soil used is an agricultural sandy soil (62,08%
coarse sand, 19,14% fine sand, 11,57% silt and 7,21% clay). Plastic
rods (4 mm in diameter) were used to simulate the plants at different
densities: 0 stem/m2 (bared soil), 126 stems/m², 203 stems/m², 461
stems/m² and 2500 stems/m²). The used rainfall intensity is 73mm/h
and the soil tray slope is fixed to 3°. The results have shown that the
overland flow velocities decreased with increasing stems density, and
the density cover has a great effect on sediment concentration.
Darcy–Weisbach and Manning friction coefficients of overland flow
increased when the stems density increased. Froude and Reynolds
numbers decreased with increasing stems density and, consequently,
the flow regime of all treatments was laminar and subcritical. From
these findings, we conclude that increasing the plants cover can
efficiently reduce soil loss and avoid denuding the roots plants.
Abstract: Although White LED lighting systems powered by solar cells have presented for many years, they are not widely used in today application because of their cost and low energy conversion efficiency. The proposed system use the dc power generated by fixed solar cells module to energize White LED light sources that are operated by directly connected White LED with current limitation resistors, resulting in much more power consumption. This paper presents the use of white LED as a general lighting application powered by tracking solar cells module and using pulse to apply the electrical power to the White LED. These systems resulted in high efficiency power conversion, low power consumption, and long light of the white LED.